Missouri Increases Penalty for Fatal Hunting Accidents
A fatal hunting accident in Missouri may result in an investigation, a wrongful death lawsuit, and/or criminal charges, depending on the circumstances of each individual case. Now, Missouri lawmakers have added another possible penalty: a hunter who is responsible for the death of another person in a hunting accident may lose his or her hunting license for up to ten years, according to a recent article in the Kansas City Star.
The Missouri Senate recently passed a bill increasing the penalty to a ten-year revocation of a hunting license. The Missouri Conservation Commission is responsible for deciding whether the penalty should apply in any given case and for enforcing the penalty if they decide to enforce it. Currently, Missouri has a similar penalty on the books that calls for a five-year license suspension if one hunter injures another in an accident, but there is no separate penalty if the injured person dies as a result of the accident. Lawmakers hope that the new measure will help fill this gap.
You can improve your own hunting safety by taking safety classes, always handling firearms and other weapons in a safe and responsible manner, and wearing a bright vest or other article of clothing to signal other hunters that you are a person, not prey. If you are injured by another hunter, however, please don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Missouri personal injury attorney at Page Law. We can help you thoroughly investigate your case and hold any negligent hunters accountable for their actions. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
